I had three of these feeders and I must say that initially I was in love with them as perhaps my best feeder yet (40 years worth of experimenting) It was truly LOVE at fist DEMO. The batter is great but I use a 12v lithium and got 6mos easy. The timer is probably the best in the industry, Heavy duty, well built, all around awesomeness! (Hello Texas Hunter competition). However, after the honeymoon wore off I had to confess that there is a design flaw that needs addressing. There is so much about this feeder that I like but the ONE and Done thing I did not like was the feed/corn/protein mix (doesn't matter what you put in it) always has some percentage of spillage that leaks into the bottom motor/battery compartment. Add a little bit of moister and you have a pile of crap to clean out that smells like a toilet in a brewery. If I could change a couple of things on this feeder I believe (in the words of David Alan Coe) this would be the perfect country and western "song" feeder. First, correct the seepage problem between the upper drum/tank and the bottom motor/battery compartment. It should be clean and crap free. Just sealing off the compartment does not work (I sealed my with heavy duty AC duct wrap) the problem is that the angle of the casting port allows for the first and last little bit of feed to fall down back back down from the spinner into the base rather than 100% broadcasting out of the unit. Between the awesome high speed of the motor and the angel you end up with this residual collection of feed/dust/etc in the bottom. Correcting this was beyond my ability. Second, I would offer a taller version barrel (maybe 1.5 increase to 500lb capacity) to reduce intrusion into the area for refills. Then paint it as a 3D looking stump pattern or tree trunk with brush in straps, or holders around the sides, top, ect. (I add these to all my feeders anyway) because I like them to blend it as much as possible (just because I like it that way). I plan to take one to the welding shop and have two barrels welded together for an appx 70" tall feeder (stand and pour capable or just a very short step ladder) 3rd. Cut a 5"x3" viewing area in the lid and put a plexiglass viewing plate to easily see the amount of feed that is in the tank. Heck you could even put number markings on the inside to quickly view what the remaining level was. Still looking for that perfect feeder . . .
This guy talks a big game but does not stand behind his product! Met him in person bought 2 feeders, spoke about why we should over pay for his specific battery, less than six months later they died and would not charge! Took them to auto parts to get tested both were bad! Talked to this guy numerous times gave a million excuses not to replace the batteries and never did! The feeders also leak corn down pass the motor and to the battery compartment. Real pain to be cleaning that out. If you buy be careful and wear gloves there are sharp parts in the compartment that WILL CUT you! Needless to say bought a cheap Walmart battery that has outlasted this "special high quality battery" this guy talks about!
